The brain controls both our conscious and unconscious actions.

The cerebrum of the human brain is particularly wrinkled compared to those of other closely related species. The surface of the cerebral cortex contains folds, ridges and furrows, which increase the surface area of the cerebrum. This allows more nerve cells to inhabit a small space and thus increases the brain's functional capacity. Indeed, our brains consume about 20 percent of our daily energy needs.

The cerebrum processes information from different senses and makes it conscious. The cerebrum is also able to remember, learn and combine old information, as well as to produce speech. Areas of vision, hearing, smell, and speech have been separated from the cerebrum. For example, when you fall and hit the back of your head hard, the visual area of the brain is activated and you may perceive flashes in your eyes.

The cerebellum is the area at the back and bottom of the brain, behind the brainstem. The cerebellum is also very wrinkled. For example, the fine-tuning of muscle movements, such as finger movements, occurs in the cerebellum. Complex sets of movements, such as cycling, also happen with the help of the cerebellum. Alcohol has a strong effect on the cerebellum, which means that under its effects the fine-tuning of movement no longer functions properly.

The Medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brain, positioned at the top of the spinal cord. The medulla oblongata controls activities such as heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing.

The Unfixed Brain | University of Utah Neuroscience Initiative